Ryders Mere- scene for a tragedy. Archive photo from 365daysofbiking.

I’m very sad to relay the news that yesterday evening (Tuesday 20th June 2017), a local boy tragically lost his life after entering Ryders Mere, a large pool in the nature reserve situated between Pelsall and Clayhanger.

My sympathies and those of the blog community are extended to the family and friends of the lad concerned – this is a terrible tragedy, the sadness of which I cannot imagine.

This kind of incident occurs all too often in hot spells as folk swim in pools and reservoirs, often unaware of how cold and difficult such waters can be, even during hot weather.

Please warn your children about this hazard: open, natural water in places like this, Chasewater and old quarries and so forth is often cold, deep and fraught with hazards. Swimming in these places is very hazardous.

West Midlands Ambulance Service issued the following statement:

Tuesday 20th June 2017 – 9.15pm – Murray MacGregor.

A teenager has died after an incident at a lake in the Pelsall area of the Black Country.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called along with West Midlands Fire and Police colleagues to the lake beyond Ryders Hayes Lane at 6.50pm this evening (Tuesday) to reports that a boy had gone into the water and not resurfaced.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer, the Hazardous Area Response Team who have a water rescue capability, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “While staff on the ground searched the area, both the air ambulance and a police helicopter searched the lake from the air.

“Tragically, the boy was later recovered from the water and was confirmed dead at the scene.

“Although it is very hot at the moment, the dangers of going into open water cannot be underestimated.”